Celebrating Courage and Creativity: Meet the Inspiring Changemakers of 2024 – A tribute to individuals who reshaped cinema, arts, activism, and leadership through stories of purpose, spotlighted by The Daily Eye.

As 2024 comes to a close, The Daily Eye highlights changemakers whose remarkable journeys redefined storytelling, advocacy, and leadership. From filmmakers like Kabeer Khurana and Adil Hussain to cultural icons like Usha Uthup and Nadira Zaheer Babbar, these individuals challenged norms and sparked meaningful change. Their stories of creativity and purpose—spanning cinema, arts, activism, and public service—offer profound lessons in perseverance and innovation. Discover how they reshaped narratives and inspired transformation in a rapidly evolving world. Read more about their groundbreaking contributions and what makes them voices of change in today’s dynamic cultural landscape.

The Daily Eye reflects on the extraordinary individuals we profiled this year—artists, filmmakers, writers, activists, and cultural pioneers. Each story was chosen because of its potential to inspire, challenge, and transform narratives. These individuals have shown remarkable creativity and passion in reshaping their worlds, making them voices that demanded to be heard. The writers of their stories are: Monojit Lahiri, Utpal Datta, Jiya M, Vinta Nanda.  

Cinema That Challenges and Transforms

We believed Kabeer Khurana’s journey was essential to profile because his films like Suttabaazi and The Pawn of Marottichal challenge stereotypes while highlighting social issues. His Indie Film Circuit initiative, connecting over 3,500 filmmakers, stood out as a groundbreaking effort to democratize Indian cinema, making storytelling accessible and impactful. Adil Hussain, because of his powerful presence in global cinema while staying rooted in Indian values. His commitment to socially conscious storytelling and his advocacy for ethical filmmaking resonated deeply with our mission to highlight art that inspires.

Kumud Chaudhary, Head of the Writers' Room at Golden Ratio Films, made our list because of her dedication to authentic narratives. Her leadership in script development for diverse projects reflects how storytelling can shape public consciousness, making her work critical in today’s entertainment landscape.

We featured Tanha Farmin Rezi, a trailblazing cinematographer from Assam, because her rise in Bollywood—despite economic hardships and gender bias—epitomizes resilience. Her journey in a male-dominated field is the kind of story that inspires future generations to defy limits. And, Saif Hyder Hasan earned his profile through Yes Papa, a film addressing the uncomfortable reality of child sexual abuse within families. Despite funding and casting struggles, he pushed forward, showing that filmmaking can be a tool for justice.

Artists Who Use Their Craft for Advocacy

We couldn’t ignore Usha Uthup, an enduring icon whose five-decade career shattered stereotypes by blending Western music with traditional Indian aesthetics. Awarded the Padma Bhushan, she personifies cultural fusion and has become a role model for women challenging societal norms through creativity. Ishaa Vinod Chopra’s story needed to be told because of her openness about living with bipolar disorder. Her memoir Finding Order in Disorder and her advocacy for mental health through art and dance are powerful reminders that personal struggles can become platforms for meaningful change.

Chandraprabha Aitwal, India’s pioneering mountaineer, a story needed to be told for her lifelong defiance of gender norms. Her historic ascents of peaks like Nanda Devi and Kangchenjunga broke barriers for women in adventure sports, inspiring countless young climbers. Also, Debasmita Dasgupta because of her relentless efforts to amplify marginalized voices through visual storytelling. Her work with the United Nations and Netflix Asia Pacific showcases how art can bring global attention to critical social issues.

Kunal Purohit certainly deserved a spotlight for exposing the hidden nexus of politics and pop culture in H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars. His investigative work challenges the growing politicization of cultural narratives and calls for critical media literacy. We couldn’t overlook Dhruv Ghanekar either, a genre-defying composer whose career spans film music, jazz, and electronic music. His work resonates with our belief in storytelling through music, pushing creative boundaries while staying connected to cultural roots.

Voices Driving Social and Cultural Change

Dilip D'Souza’s account of his experiences in the Bharat Jodo Yatra, shared in his book Road Walker, highlighted India’s deep-rooted social challenges. His reflections on unity and societal introspection made his voice essential in our coverage of India’s ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Janhavi Samant’s passion for preserving Mumbai’s cinematic history through The Faaltugiri Tour and her book Faaltugiri and Other Flashbacks made her a natural choice. Her work invites nostalgia while preserving the cultural memory of a city steeped in cinema.

Preeti Shridhar, elected commissioner in Woodinville, Washington, earned her place because of her unwavering commitment to environmental advocacy, equity, and sustainability. Her leadership in public service exemplifies how individuals can drive systemic change.

And, above all others is theatre pioneer Nadira Zaheer Babbar, founder of Ekjute, who was featured because of her lifelong commitment to the performing arts. Her latest production, Farida, a heartwarming love story set in Kashmir, reflects how theatre can inspire empathy, challenge societal norms, and ignite change.

Aditi Mediratta made our list because of her remarkable transformation from crime journalist to acclaimed screenwriter and novelist. Her works like Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and The Dirty Picture redefine narratives in Indian cinema. The inspiring story of Nidhi and Sushil Poddar, chronicled in Blaze, was essential to share because of its message of courage and hope in the face of their son Divyansh’s cancer diagnosis. Their resilience reminds us of humanity’s capacity for love and strength in adversity.

Lastly, Amborish Roychoudhury's book The Untold Story of Sridevi, with insightful forewords by Kamal Haasan and Ram Gopal Varma, provided a deeply researched tribute to one of Indian cinema’s greatest legends. His work preserves a cinematic legacy that continues to shape popular culture.

Why These Stories Matter

These individuals represent more than personal success—they embody change, defiance, and hope. At The Daily Eye, we believe storytelling is a tool for transformation, and these profiles reaffirm that belief. Their journeys inspire us to imagine a more compassionate, inclusive, and just world. You can read in more detail about each of these powerful people in the link shared here.

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to amplifying such voices—voices that refuse to be silenced, voices that challenge the status quo, and voices that show us the limitless possibilities of human spirit.